Spongious body of penis

The spongious body of the penis (also known as the corpus spongiosum penis) in veterinary anatomy is a column of erectile tissue that surrounds the urethra along the ventral aspect of the penis.

In domestic animals, the spongious body of the penis is a vascular structure responsible for maintaining the patency of the urethra during erection. It originates around the pelvic urethra and continues distally along the penis, expanding at the distal end to form the glans penis. This tissue becomes engorged with blood during erection, but to a lesser extent than the corpus cavernosum, thus preventing urethral compression.

Species Variations

• In canines, the spongious body contributes to the bulbous glandis, a structure important for the copulatory tie.

• In stallions, it is well-developed and forms a prominent glans.

• In ruminants and boars, it is less voluminous and more limited in glans formation.